Apparatus for the production of theatrical performances



c. J. CARLOTTI APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES May 18,1926. 1,585,373

Filed June 30, 1924 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N i H V INVENTOR C/mr/A: J. far/affp 3 FJZ BY "x ATTORNEY May 18 1926. 1,585,373

C. J. CARLOTTI APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES Filed June 30, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR E a ar/Ar far/of)?" May 18 1926. 1,585,373

C. J. CARLOTTI APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES Filed June 30, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fig Y l) "5 ATTORNEY i 'il Patented May 13,

CHARLES J. CARI QTT 83 NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR THE FEODUGTZOIQ" 'iEIElATBZGAL PERFORMANCES.

Application filed June 30, 1924. Serial No. 723,129.

r'unong the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide means for reducing the cost item at present required for the production of theatrical performances, particularly of the form of theatrical production known as moving pictures; to facilitate the direct contruction and handling of settings incident to such performances; to increase the convenience of the preformers when passing between the dressing room and the stage; to facilitate the handling and preservation of settings and properties after service; to facilitate the storage of settings and properties connected with performances; to provide a plurality of coordinated separate stage units for amplification or restriction of stage space; to provide a plurality of theatres coordinated with asingle utility space; to increase the facility for handling incoming and outgoing raw construction, manufactured materials, and properties; to provide means for photographing successively and uninterrupted1y scenes embodying a plurality of settings; to handle material used in the construction of settings progressively from the time of receipt thereof to the demolition and storage thereof; to provide for successive photographs. continuous and similar lighting, independent and irrespective of the settings; and to simplify and economize in the construction and operation of apparatuses of the character mentioned.

Dramings.

Figures 1 and 1 show a floor plan view of an apparatus for producing theatrical performances constructed and arranged in ac cordance with the present invention.

Figures 2 and 2 show a longitudinal vertical section thereof taken as on the line 22 in Figures 1 and 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section, the section being taken as on the line 33 in Figure 2..

Figure 4 is a detailed view showing one of the sides of the stage opening with lighting figures disposed thereon.

Figure 5 is a detailed view on enlarged scale showing a fragment of the stage opening structure and a cross section of the light ing platform therefor.

Description. I As seen in the drawings, the apparatus consists in the building divided lengthwise to provide spaces having definite relation each to the other, and affording each facilities for supplying the needs of the other. Under the same roof there is provided a series of double-ended theaters or spaces wherein theatrical performances may be held for the purpose of photographing the same, the photographs being subsequently used for entertainments known as moving picture shows. Preliminary to taking the photographs, the stage is set up. The setting of the is a long and tedious operation. stages are permanent in the theatre s aces 10 and 11. In practice the setting up or preparation of a stage for the taking of photographs may consume from a few days to a few weelts of time. When more than As at present constructed these one setting is being photographed in the same theatre, as is frequently the case, other settings in course of construction are constantly delayed owing to the necessity for and demand for extraneous inaction during the so-called shooting of a picture. The work performed on settings if undertaken during the intervals between shooting pictures, adds greatly to the necessary time consumed, and consequently adds to the cost of such settings.

In the present invention this difficulty is avoided by providing stages 12 and 13 which are mounted on wheels to run on tracks i l, from either side of the theatre space to fill the ends thereof during the shooting of the picture and to be removed therefrom soon as the shooting is over, so that the set may be built and dismantled outside of the theatre space and at both ends thereof.

The setting of the stage and the dismantling thereof is the'work of the mechanics such as carpenters. electricians, upholsters, plaster-workers, and others. lVith this in view the building space between the theatre spaces is occupied primarily by the work shops 15 or work spaces of the n'iechanics referred to, and for this reason the build ing spaces between the theatre spaces is made equal to twice the width of the unit theatre spaces designated in the accompanying drawings by the numerals 10, and '11. v

The floors of the shops 15 are preferably level with the floors of the stages 12 and 13 hence, when the stages 12 and 13 are disposed as shown in Figures 1 and i at the ends of the shops 15, the floor of the shop and stage are lush or continuous, facilitating in this manner, the increment of materials forming the set being erected on the stage from the shop. "Each ot the shop 5 aces is provided with one or more inchuea li, 21:; bester nncvays 1(5. 'lhe rum-(a 16, :c Figure 3 ot' the drawing are in ope tentted. deposited. on the floor of the carpent $2.180 it is obvious the in e'i'ilseither worried, or roar be delivered upon the stages 1;. a:- to be erected.

In open communication with the tunnel 1? are runways 19 which lead into the thest e spaces. The runways l9 permit the hai no of animals used in the niahins-z' of photographs as set torth. the op er the interior exit end EJVIAH} is the drawih 's, be'np: ent the and 13 w! the same re in post the shooting ot the pic is obvious that the hand We li" employer in the marina of the p "from the tunnel 17 direct to t. the picture is being taken. and 1v theretroni after the picture has been con.- pletod.

areatly facilitated, they may be 1. i. \1. .l botl ends 1 pr ze to iilflllillt the handling of moo: within the tunnel, the tiucks for handling: the s' zuue running all in the saline ou'ection.

i are be l2 red 1 l is then mo I d1sniaiitltd and ta en nrough the rare t or and corrid from utetl to the "various st is obvious that it t torcroonis 2: are properly desi ated a an inrento y of tie parts or e 'erials ceporitecl therein he ept. the materials which itoiioeii'ly were a substantial waste, are savec for future use, thereby constituting a direct and very great saving in the business. This is obviou. when it is remembered that from time to time. materials which have been employed in. the making of one set, may be used in many others following thereon.

An the spaces between the stage spaces, e building may be raised two or three "is it. need be, and the upper fioors above 1e carpenter shop may be used for dressing 1 I Work shops, wardrobes, and for purposes ot similar chamcter.

my reterence to Figures 1. and 1*, it. will noted that the stages 12 and 123 each are c l variety all sets to be made. cupying each of he stages 12, and .e stages 13. fit the same tiine it o occupy the whole end, the are connected to be moved and "at c it will. be rot d that the stage space 1.1 double the width of the so space 10, and by reference to '1 s "2 and 2, it will be .re see i tlu the r001 01": the stage space 11 is -1 rher than the roots oi the stage spaces 10. rgn' J,

111G presence 0L the enlarged stage spate ll permits the photograplnng of sets of a er 2 gnitude than can be handled in he smaller stage spaces 10, or eight of the and 13. preferred torin of the appa 'atus.

or of the building, there '5 to be built one of the st to spaces 11. In practice this has been to su'liiciently supply the needs of t nes...

Th .aces are open at each side. i l! re closed when desired by n ens ott nio le doors 2?). The doors 23 extend to the full height of what might. be tei the prosceniun'i opening of the stage space so as to cut out all cou'nnunication between the stage space of the theatre l0 and 11. from the carpenter shop when and the stages are being); from the carpenter shop space to the .i'tt en rh times, the lightinii oved ...liitliJO spaces.

ts the stage s l r opening with all ot in place.

-- casry the sun lighting p alornis 534 are raiseth and as shown in lh qure 4; of the drai'vings, they are raised shove the top oi. the door openim This 'erni g to h moral in posi L no be swung to any ..,ii211"i(l2L1'tlS 26. These (1)351. and are intended to i i :i brilliancy ol ig'ht in. the open plain. many lights 2o T in the 1 winch brackets are mounted on e rs 2S, and nth, a lifting mechare. einhoc'ying the hand winches and 1 n1 hoisting cables 30.

Elevator shafts 31 and connnunicating Stairways 32 are built into the building Where convenient. or thought necessary.

At thereer ot each stage space, scnr vecl back-well 83 is constructed. In practice the llH) Eli

walls 33 are painted or otherwise treated to represent sky or scenes generally of a landscape, the curvature 01 the walls assisting in the photographic illusion of perspective and distance. These walls are preferably a material part of the construction.

It will be noted by reference to Figures 1 and 1, that the trac rs l l are extended from the ends of the buildings and that the doors cover openings leading to the open air. The purpose of this construction is to permit the moving of the stages 12 and 13 beyond the building or studio into the open air, where weather conditions permitting, the scene or picture may be taken or photographed. It is obvious that when the photograph has been taken, the stages may be returned to their place in the studio, and if it is necessary to dismantle the set, this may be accomplished in the way, and in the manner above set forth.

Claims.

1. An apparatus as characterized comprising a building structure divided lengthwise by a plurality of transverse -full height theatre spaces, said theatre spaces being separated by utility spaces, said utility spaces being approximately twice the width of each of said theatre spaces; and a plurality of movable stages adapted for disposition at the extremities of said theatre spaces and of said utility spaces from opposite sides thereof, said stages embodying two halves, each half being adapted to be set for minor productions.

2. An apparatus as characterized comprising a building structure divided lengthwise by a plurality of transverse full height theatre spaces, said theatre spaces being separated by utility spaces, said utility spaces being approximately twice the width of said theatre spaces; a plurality of movable stages adapted for disposition at the extremities of said theatre spaces and of said utility spaces;

an extra sized theatre space interposed between two of said utility spaces in place of one oi said theatre spaces, said extra sized space being adapted to receive four of said stages at each extremity hereof.

3. An apparatus characterized comprising a building structure divided lengthwise by a plurality o'i transverse full height theatre spaces, said threatre spaces being separated by utility spaces; a plurality of stages movable lengthwise of said structure for registr: tion with the ends of said theatre theatre spaces, said theatre spaces being separated by utility spaces; a plurality of stages movable lengthwise or said structure for registration with the ends of said. theatre and utility spaces successively; means for delivering material for use on said stages through all of said utility spaces; and means for moving material from said stages in a dir etion away from. said utility spaces 101 conveyance to storage receptacles.

5. An apparatus as characterized comprisabuilding structure divided lengthwise by a plurality of transverse full height theatre spaces, said theatre spaces being separev ted by utility spaces; a plurality of stages movable lengthwise of said structure for registration "ith the ends of said theatre and utility spaces successively; means for delivering material for use on said stages through all or said utility spaces; and means for moving material from said stages in a direction away from said utility paces for conveyance to storage receptacles; and a plurality of storage receptacles extending lengthwise of said structure beyond the ends of said theatre and utility spaces.

6. An apparatus as characterized comprising a builonng structure divided lengthwise by a plurality of transverse full height theatre spaces, said theatre spaces being separated b y utility spa es; a plurality o1 stages movable lengthwise of said structure for registrat-ion with the ends of said theatre and utility spaces successively; means for deliv ering material for use on said stages through all of said utility spaces; means for moving material from said stages in a direction away from said utility spaces for conveyance to storage receptacles; and a plurality of. storage receptacles extending lengthwise of said structure beyond the ends of said theatre and utility spaces, said storage spaces being divided into compartments for the reception of material removed from said stages.

QHARLES J. 'CARLOTTI. 

